4 Things You Should Know About Franking Machine
Franking machines have been around for a long time, but they were not called by that name until the 1970s. In fact, before their invention, people would have to hand-write their letters and affix postage stamps before mailing them.
It was in 1853 when U.S. Postmaster General James Campbell started using the term “franking” to refer to the free mail privilege offered to members of Congress.
The franking machine-made mail delivery easier because it could be operated by one person rather than a team of workers who had to manually attach stamps on every envelope being sent out.
It was introduced in 1964 and became widely used in 1967 with an update from 1969 which eliminated some design flaws from its predecessor models such as the ability to print an envelope’s entire address.
In this article, we will be discussing four other things that you should know about the franking machine.
How it works
To use the franking machine, all you have to do is insert an envelope and push a button.
The machine will automatically affix a U.S. postage stamp with a value of up to 70¢. If your letter goes over to over 70 cents in postal rate, the remaining balance will be charged to you at the time of sending or refunded if there’s credit left on your account.
The experts from FP explain how to use a franking machine, you will need to have an account with a postal service provider.
This account allows you to purchase postage stamps and have them deposited into your account so that you can use them when needed.
You can also use a franking machine to print postage onto labels or envelopes. To do this, you will need to purchase a printer that is compatible with your franking machine.
The type of printer you need will depend on the model of your machine. For example, a thermal printer is needed to print onto adhesive labels while an inkjet printer is better for printing directly onto envelopes.
How much does it cost?
One thing to note about using a franking machine is that there are usually associated costs with it.
These costs can include the price of having an account with a postal service provider, the cost of purchasing postage stamps, and the cost of purchasing a printer that is compatible with your franking machine.
Before you can purchase postage stamps, you will need to have an account with a postal service provider such as FedEx, DHL, or Pitney Bowes to do so.
You can choose from different types of accounts depending on how much and often you need the franking machine to print out postage.
For example, if you only want an account to test the franking machine before making a purchase decision, you should consider having a demo account that only lasts for 30 days and provides limited features such as sending mail or refilling postage balance.
If this is not enough time for your needs, then your next option would be to choose either a prepaid account or lifetime access package which allows users more options when it comes to printing out postage onto envelopes.
The cost of having an account with a postal service provider will depend on the type of account you choose.
The prepaid option allows users to pay in advance for stamps and postage balances, while the lifetime access package charges users based on their monthly usage.
You can find out more information regarding prices by visiting different franking machine providers’ websites.
What are its benefits?
There are many benefits when it comes to using a franking machine including faster speed, easy use, lower time investment, and more.
For starters, speed is something that stands out as a benefit for those who would like to send out large quantities of letters and envelopes due to its ability to print up to 300 pieces per hour.
The ease of use is another feature that allows anyone with little to no experience in using the machine will be able to quickly familiarize themselves with it.
All you have to do is insert an envelope into the franking machine, push a button, remove your letter from the tray, and you are set.
Low-time investment for both regular users and newbies alike has made the franking machine popular among professionals who rely on sending physical mail regularly.
This includes sales representatives, sales managers, business owners/managers, real estate agents, etc.
Another benefit of the franking machine is that it does not require a lot of time investment.
All you have to do is place an envelope into the tray, choose your stamp and postage balance amount, and print out your letter which will be ready in less than a minute.
In addition to being useful for large companies, small business owners also find the franking machine very useful.
This includes anyone whose work requires them to send out letters regularly, such as real estate agents, who need to respond to their prospects within 24 hours.
To save themselves from having to buy stamps every day or waiting in line at the post office, many real estate agents have begun using a franking machine.
What are its limitations?
While the franking machine does come with many benefits, it is important to know its limitations as well. One limitation that has been frequently mentioned by users is that they cannot manage their postage or fill out a custom amount for the postage balance.
In other words, you either have to buy a stamp from your local store or use a prepaid postage balance which provides you with up to £5 of free postage.
Some franking machines are able to print out the address directly onto the envelope, saving you the hassle of knowing how to properly fill it out.
Another limitation you need to be aware of when purchasing the unit is whether or not it can print directly onto envelopes.
As a general rule of thumb, inkjet printers tend to work better for this task since they produce more heat and do not cause damage to make-shift stamps such as paperclip marks on your letters.
If you are thinking of purchasing a franking machine, it is important that before making a purchase decision, you should consider having a demo account that only lasts for 30 days and provides limited features such as sending mail or refilling postage balance.
If this is not enough time for your needs, then your next option would be to choose either a prepaid account or lifetime access package which allows users more options when it comes to printing out postage onto envelopes.
The cost of having an account with a postal service provider will depend on the type of account you choose.
The prepaid option allows users to pay in advance for stamps and postage balances, while the lifetime access package charges users based on their monthly usage.
